1066 swimmers turn on the style

1066 swimmers competed in their first Sussex League gala of the year at the Sovereign centre, Eastbourne. 1066 were up against Chichester and hosts Eastbourne- each team had two lanes with the final points counting for the one team. 1066 were excited by the Sussex league as it was the first consequential gala of the year; this excitement was intensified further by the prospect of some local rivalry.

1066 made a storming start to the gala winning 4 out of the first 6 individuals, they then confirmed their winning streak by winning both of the first relays of the night- the under 14 female team (Jess Honeysett, Ella Watson, Lucy Howes, Rebecca Ellis) and the male team (Ryan Lee, Harry Crotty, Ben Coles, Bill Matthews) - all of the 8 swimmers in those first two relays swimming faster their recorded best times.

Throughout the night the personal bests continued to stream in, PBs came from; Charlotte Rouncivell, Ellie Williams, Darius Khalesi, Josh Bishop, Ella Watson, Ben Coles, Bill Matthews, Jess Honeysett, Ryan Lee, Harry Turner, Megan Hawkesley, Alix Kingwell, Harry Dyer, Liam Coleman, Rebecca Ellis, Ben Peppiatt, Molly Paulin, Lucy Howes, Harry Crotty, Sophie Griggs, Adam Rouncivell, Chloe Baker, Victoria Turner and Harry Markfort.

On top of all these times being smashed 1066 swimmers also achieved 31 first places (over 50% of the races), including 11 out of the 17 relay events. The individual first places were achieved by; Charlotte Rouncivell, Ben Coles, Victoria Turner, Adam Rouncivell, Megan Alsop, Todd Alsop, Ryan Lee, Molly Paulin, Joe Slaughter, Ella Watson and Ellie Williams. They followed this up with 10 2nd places and 20 3rds, this all out of the available 6 places.

The gala ended with a nail biting finish in the squadron relay; this involves 8 swimmers in total, 4 females and 4 males and one of each age group in ascending order. The squadron is always the height of the gala as it is the last race in which everyone is pushing for the finish. 1066 began the race slightly behind the other teams. Swimmers on the poolside and parents in the balcony cheering and supporting regardless, until the last 4 swimmers, the gap was closed presenting a brilliant opportunity which 1066 swimmers seized finishing the race in first place. 1066 celebrated in their customary 'Oggy' led by the new club captains Emma Cannon and Lewis Peppiatt, after which the team broke out into Happy Birthday for Bill Matthews and Charlotte Rouncivell.

1066 began the gala leading by 2 points in the first event; they consistently held the lead all the way through the night gradually increasing the gap until 1066 swimmers finished with a triumphant and comfortable 1st place, 55 points ahead of the other teams.

If you would like to join 1066 or start lessons please call Tracey Peppiatt on 07720293697